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Treatments for Vocal Cord Dysfunction

Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a condition in which normal breathing causes the vocal cords to close rather than open. It is also known as paradoxical vocal cord motion (PVCM). VCD is frequently misdiagnosed as a component of asthma, and some sufferers of VCD have died from using improperly prescribed asthma medications. Treatment of the disorder is based on proper diagnosis, followed by acute care and instruction in therapeutic techniques to limit future occurrences.

  1. Symptoms and the Importance of Proper Diagnosis

    • The essential difficulty of VCD is the inability to efficiently move air in and out of the lungs. If you have the disorder, your symptoms may include feelings of choking or suffocation, shortness of breath or constricted breathing, tightness in the throat or chest, noisy breathing, a hoarse voice or frequent coughing and clearing of the throat. Be aware that these signs may be present whether or not you have asthma. While many asthma sufferers may also have VCD, vocal cord problems are distinct from the lung-related problems of classic asthma.

      If you are concerned that VCD is present, try to find a doctor who is experienced in treating this particular condition. Doing so will diminish your chances of receiving an improper diagnosis, and may very well be the difference between improving or decreasing your health and well-being. Be aware that even under the best circumstances, VCD can be hard to diagnose unless you are exhibiting active symptoms when you are examined. As a result, your doctor may use various techniques to trigger an attack as part of a thorough diagnosis.

    Treating Acute VCD

    • If you are diagnosed with VCD, the first step in treatment will be reduction of immediate symptoms. To achieve this, your doctor may administer a mixture of helium and oxygen (heliox), or use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to open up your vocal cords. Alternately, she may instruct you to pant rhythmically to relieve vocal cord pressure.

    Prevention as Treatment

    • Once your symptoms have been controlled, you will need to learn certain techniques to help control future VCD attacks. For this portion of treatment, you will need to see a speech therapist or psychologist experienced in treating the disorder. Either of these health professionals will be able to teach you methods of relaxing your throat muscles that will greatly diminish your susceptibility to VCD. Learning these techniques properly may take a number of therapeutic sessions, and mastery of what you learn will take a good deal of additional practice.

      In some cases, VCD can be triggered by strong emotions or stressful situations. For that reason, you may gain additional benefit from learning more general relaxation techniques or biofeedback. Psychotherapy may also be helpful.

    Additional Considerations

    • If you have asthma in addition to VCD, it is important to properly control this condition as well. In some cases, your VCD may be triggered by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), laryngopharyngeal reflux disease or post-nasal drip. If you have one of these conditions, consult your doctor for full instructions on how to eliminate its effects.

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